Chuck Smith: The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ - Chapter 7

Description
Pastor Chuck Smith teaches on Revelation Chapter 7, highlighting the book’s unique structure that revisits and details key events. He explains the significance of the sealed 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel and the great multitude from every nation standing before God’s throne. Pastor Chuck emphasizes the righteousness of Christ, the call to true worship, and the urgency of being ready for Jesus’ return. He reminds us that salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ, offering hope, comfort, and guidance to all who believe.

The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ - Chapter 7

Let’s turn now in our Bibles to the Book of Revelation, Chapter 7.

The Book of Revelation is written in an interesting form. It takes us through a series of events, then goes back to give details about those events. It paints a broad picture, and then it fills in the details. This method of teaching was common in biblical times and often used by Jesus—He would state a principle and then illustrate it.

We tend to read stories from beginning to end, expecting the plot to unfold in sequence. But the Bible often gives the span from beginning to end and then circles back to expand and amplify. These sections are known as parenthetical portions.

As we come into Chapter 7, we enter a parenthetical section. We step back into the time frame of the first six seals and are given further details, focusing on two specific groups.

The Four Angels and the Sealing of the 144,000

John says:

“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree.”

Critics have pointed to “the four corners of the earth” as proof that the Bible is unreliable, since the earth is round. But this simply refers to the four directions—north, south, east, and west. Scripture is clear elsewhere: Job speaks of “the circle of the earth,” and says that God “hangs the earth upon nothing.”

Here, the four angels are holding back the winds until God’s servants are sealed. John sees another angel ascending from the east with the seal of the living God, crying out to the others not to harm the earth, sea, or trees until the sealing is complete.

The number sealed: 144,000 from the tribes of Israel—12,000 from each tribe. This is stated as plainly as possible. Yet through history, many groups have wrongly claimed to be the 144,000: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Herbert W. Armstrong’s followers, and others. But Scripture is clear—they are Israelites, not Gentile believers or modern sects.

Interestingly, in this list the tribes of Dan and Ephraim are omitted, likely because of their history of idolatry. Dan was the first tribe to embrace idolatry (Judges), and Ephraim was denounced by Hosea as being “joined to idols.” Yet later, when Israel is restored to the land, Dan is included again (Ezekiel 48), showing God’s mercy.

The Great Multitude

After this, John beholds “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues.”

They stand before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes (signifying the righteousness of Christ) and holding palms (symbols of worship and victory). They cry out with a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

All the angels, elders, and living creatures fall on their faces before the throne, worshiping God and saying:

“Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

One of the elders asks John, “Who are these in white robes, and where did they come from?” John replies, “Sir, you know.” The elder answers:

“These are the ones who came out of the Great Tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

This identifies them as the martyrs of the Tribulation—those who came to faith in Christ after the rapture of the Church, refusing the Antichrist and his mark, and paying with their lives.

Lessons from the Martyrs

This passage shows that while countless will be saved during the Tribulation, it will come at a tremendous cost.

• They will endure famine, thirst, and persecution.
• They will hunger no more, thirst no more, and the sun will not scorch them anymore.
• The Lamb will shepherd them, lead them to living fountains of water, and God will wipe away every tear.

This is a powerful encouragement—but also a sober warning. Pastor Chuck reminded us: if you cannot live for Christ now, what makes you think you can die for Him then?

The easy way is to accept Christ now and be with the Church in heaven, rather than face the hardships of Tribulation martyrdom.

Closing Exhortation

Heaven will be full of surprises: some we thought would be there will not, others we never expected will be there, and the greatest surprise of all may be that we are there!

But the critical question remains: Are you ready?
The rapture of the Church could happen at any time. Salvation is offered now through faith in Jesus Christ.

As Amos said: “Prepare to meet your God.”

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, redeemed through His infinite mercy—His child and forever I am.